Eyelet.



No. 759,804. PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

G. H. BRABROOK.

EYELET.

APPLICATION FILED ran. 9; 1904.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented May 10, 1904 GEORGE HALE BRABROOK, OE TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

EYELET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,804, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed February 9, 1904. Serial No. 192,785. (No model.)

To aZZ u/hom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, GEORGE HALE BRA- BROOK, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Taunton, in the county of Bristol,

State of Massachusetts, have invented a cer tain new and useful Improvement in Eyelets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention has for its object to provide a new and improved eyelet.

,It consists in the novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be clearly understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specilication. The novel features thereof are clearly pointed out in the claims at the close of this specification.

1n the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of an eyelet embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the eyelet set in a piece of material. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of an eyelet embodying my invention and showing a thin layer or finishing-covering extending over those portions of the surface of the eyelet which show when the eyelet is set.

Having reference to the drawings, the barrel of the eyelet is shown at 1. The upper or flange portion comprises two parts the lower or flange proper (designated 2 in the drawings) and an inwardly-turned top, (designated 3.) The parts 2 and 3 are preferably integral, the upper part 3 beil'igformed by bending that por tion of the top or flange part of the eyelet over upon itself that is, upon the portion 2giving it preferably a crowning curve in crosssection, as shown, and turning its edge 4 downwardly and against the said portion 2 at or near the inner edge of the latter at the throat of the eyelet, but preferably at a point which is slightly outside the line of the barrel. In other words, the edge 4 will preferably impinge against the part 2 at a point slightly outside of the inner line of the barrel 1 of the eyelet, or it may be flush with said line, but must not extend within said line. In this way the edge 4 is so located as not to come in contact with a lace which may be passed through the eyelet, and should said edge be accidentally rough the lace will not be damaged or injured thereby. By this means the smoothness of the throat of the eyelet is in no way interfered with. The lower or opposite end 7 of the barrel is. adapted to be turned and set against the lower side of the material 6 in the usual manner, as will be clear from Fig. 2. The lower member 2 of the flange'portion is'substantially horizontal and affords a lirm bearing for the top or flange portion of the eyelet on the upper surface of the material in which the eyelet is set, which is desirable, while the crowning shape of the member or portion 3 of the top insures a degree of strength which will prevent the said portion from being flattened or otherwise impaired in the operation of setting the eyelet. The position of the edge 4 of the part 3, hearing against a substantially horizontal part or shoulder, and which part 52 is disposed approximately at a right angle to the said edge 4, also adds to the strength or stiffness of the hollow head of the eyelet to resist impairment thereof in the setting operation. The rounded top of the eyelet thus obtained is desirable and advantageous for obvious reasons and gives the eyelet when set a finished appearance in substantially the same way as does the rounded top of what is known as a covered eyelet-that is, one having a top molded there on from celluloid or composition. In this way when a metal or uncovered eyelet is desired it may be had in an eyelet embodying my invention and which also possesses the finish and appearance of the rounded covered eyelets in common use. It is further to be noted that in case it is desired to produce the appearance and effect of an eyelet having a molded top of cellu loid or the like or in case it is desired to produce an eyelet of a special color a very thin coating of japan or similar composition 9 may be applied to my eyelet either throughout its entire surface, or, as indicated in Fig. 3, it may be applied only to those portions thereof which show when the eyelet is set, and in this way an eyelet having all the appearance and substantial advantages of an eyelet having a molded top may be obtained at a minimum of cost. When a coating or a layer of coloring-matter or the like is applied, the slight depression at 8,where the edge of the rounded top 3 joins the throat, as well as the joint which is formed at that point, may be entirely covered and concealed in case that should be deemed desirable.

Since the greatest diameter of the top of my eyelet is in a plane passing through the base of the top that is, passing through the points 14 and 15, Fig. l-the japan or covering layer -may be readily applied so as to cover the en' tire top, leaving no portion of the metal visible when the eyelet is set and without covering any substantial portion of the metal surface which is not visible when the eyelet is set. It is also to be noted that my eyelet presents no edge of the metal in contact with the surface of the material in which the eyelet is set, so that all danger of injuring or cutting the surface of the material is avoided.

It is obviously immaterial what form of curvature is given to the inwardly-turned portion 3 of the top of my eyelet or the dimensions thereof. The gist of my invention resides in the idea of turning inwardly this portion against the substantially right-angular base portionEZ to form a crown, giving the appearance of the heavily-molded covered eyelets, as also insuring a degree of strength in the top, which closely approximates, if it does not equal, the strength of a solid top.

What I claim is- 1. An eyelet having a top formed integral therewith and comprising a lower member to bear upon the surface of the material in which the eyelet is set and which is formed substantially at a right angle to the barrel of the eyelet, and an upper member extending inwardly over said lower member and downwardly so that its edge is in contact with the said lower member near the inner edge thereof, substantially as described.

2. An eyelet having a top comprising an outwardly-extending portion disposed substantially at a right angle to the barrel of the eyelet and adapted to bear against the surface *ofthe material in which the eyelet is set, said top having an inwardly-turned portion 3 integral with said first portion and curved or crowning in shape, the inner edge 4 of the said portion 3 being turned downwardly into contact with the portion 2 at or near, but not within, the inner line of the barrel of the eyelet, substantially as set forth.

3. An eyelet having a hollow top or head formed integral therewith, and comprising a lower member 2 to bear upon the surface of the material in which the eyelet is set, and an upper crowning member 3 extending inwardly over said lower member and downwardly so that its edge is in contact with the said lower member near to, but not within, the inner line of the barrel of the eyelet, and a layer or coating of japan or similar covering material applied to said eyelet, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE HALE BRABROOK. 

